Can Dogs Be Gay? Exploring Canine Homosexuality

In 2013, Tennessee, USA, witnessed a notorious event involving a gay dog: The owner of a Pitbull discovered that his dog was engaging in sexual behavior with other male dogs and promptly sent it to a local shelter, citing the reason, "I can't accept that my dog is gay."

After the incident gained traction online, the可怜 little Pitbull was adopted by a seasoned veterinarian. You might be aware that there are numerous reasons why male dogs might exhibit sexual behavior with other males, but none as simplistic as the dog owner's assumption.

Research has shown that male dogs may engage in such behavior not only out of a desire to conquer but also because those experiencing sexual frustration are more inclined to seek validation through other male dogs.

In a stable pack of dogs, the presence of a dominant female can lead to a collective sense of depression among the males, causing them to seek comfort in each other's company, effectively "bonding over" their shared plight.

This "bonding" can manifest in various forms, from blankets and toys to, indeed, other males.

Why do some dogs never show interest in the opposite sex?

Before delving into this question regarding dogs, let's look at other animals:

Even in the presence of males, Japanese female macaques often prefer the company of other females.

Approximately 7% of male sheep in the United States engage in samesex relationships, showing no interest in estrous females.

The union of two male penguins has long been a familiar sight.

Male guppies often prefer the company of other males, struggling to mate with female guppies throughout their lives.

Female albatrosses return to their female partners immediately after successful mating.

Biological evolutionary scientists have found that many animals exhibit samesex attraction due to being attracted to the powerful traits of their own sex. Young, inexperienced, or insecure animals are often more drawn to the strength of their own sex. In some cases, the attraction is even for selfprotection.

In Mexico, there is a species of fish living in mountain streams where the smaller male fish follow the larger males around. Over time, the smaller males develop femalelike patterns, which may seem bizarre but are actually a form of selfprotection.

In essence, if your dog shows no interest in the opposite sex, it's likely due to the presence of a strong, genderdistinct samesex individual nearby.

Every time we discuss whether dogs are gay, we're already on shaky ground, as we anthropomorphize dogs. No matter the outcome, it's a skewed view that goes against the principles of scientific research.

Put simply, the debate over whether dogs are gay is a humancentric exercise in selfgratification.

Humans have a unique concept of homosexuality that doesn't apply to any other animal. There's no need to apply human standards of "homosexuality" to animals. The reasons behind these samesex behaviors are numerous, and even evolutionary biologists studying animals from a neutral perspective have yet to find definitive answers.